TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Zechariah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31
On this day that many people celebrate the birth of Jesus, feel free to go back and read Luke 2 or Matthew 2 with your family!
Zechariah 8:3 — Over 2,000 years after Zechariah wrote these words about Jerusalem, it is still a controversial city!
- The LORD is jealous for Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:2)
- The LORD will dwell in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:3)
- Old men and young boys will dwell there (Zechariah 8:4-5)
- Jews will return to Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:8)
- The Temple will be built (Zechariah 8:9)
- God will bless the people of Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:12)
- The Jews in Jerusalem will be a blessing (Zechariah 8:13)
- Fasting will be joy (Zechariah 8:19)
- Gentiles will seek the LORD in Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:22)
Zechariah 8:16 — Truth and Peace! As we’ve shown for the last few days, Jesus is the Peace, and Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6)!
Zechariah 8:22 — In John 12:21, certain of the Greeks approached Philip and said, “We would see Jesus!” Yes, many people came to seek the LORD in Jerusalem, and once again they will come!
Zechariah 8:23 — We haven’t seen that happen yet – antisemitism is on the rise globally.
Revelation 16:1 — Sores, blood seas, blood rivers, scorching fire, darkness – notice the similarities between the Ten Plagues of Egypt: sores/boils (Plagues 5 & 6), water to blood (Plague 1), fire – fiery hail (Plague 7), darkness (Plague 9).
Revelation 16:12 — The way of the kings of the East. Some commentaries discuss whether or not it refers to the 200-million-man army of Revelation 9:16. If so, the Chinese army is rumored to be around 200 million men. Others believe that it’s a demonic army.
Revelation 16:15 — This is the fifth time that the LORD describes His coming as a thief. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 16:15, the coming is described as a thief, yet even some pre-tribulational experts say this refers to the Second Coming, not the Rapture.
Revelation 16:21 — Instead of repenting, the men blaspheme God. It’s been said that the same sun that melts butter, hardens clay.
Psalm 144:1 — The psalmist is thankful to the LORD for His offensive capability. In the next verse, he’s thankful for His defensive protection (fortress, tower, deliverer, shield).
Psalm 144:8 — We just read in Revelation 16:21 that God will judge those who blaspheme!
Psalm 144:15 — Are you happy?
Proverbs 30:31 — A king without insurrection … ahhh … Rehoboam would have longed for that (1 Kings 12:16)!
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
